Guillermo Vidal, Denver's public works director, was one of 14,000 children airlifted to the United States as part of Operation Peter Pan in 1961, two years after Fidel Castro and his supporters militarily overthrew the U.S.-supported Batista regime.

Back when actor John Ratzenberger was a youngster, playtime was a hands-on experience. Barring a blizzard or other weather catastrophe, he and his friends would be outside most days, playing ball or riding their bikes. Other days, he would tinker.